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Apostolos A, Alexiou P, Papanikolaou A, Trantalis G, Drakopoulou M, Ktenopoulos N, Kachrimanidis I, Vlachakis PK, Tsakiri I, Chrysostomidis G, Aggeli K, Tsioufis C, Toutouzas K. Patent Foramen Ovale Closure in Special Clinical Situations: More Questions Than Answers? Life (Basel) 2024; 14:706. [PMID: 38929689 PMCID: PMC11204715 DOI: 10.3390/life14060706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a remnant of the foetal circulation resulting from incomplete occlusion of the septum primum and septum secundum. Although prevalent in about 25% of the population, it mainly remains asymptomatic. However, its clinical significance in situations such as cryptogenic stroke, migraine, and decompression illness (DCI) has been well described. Recent randomised clinical trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy of percutaneous PFO closure over pharmacological therapy alone for secondary stroke prevention in carefully selected patients. Notably, these trials have excluded older patients or those with concurrent thrombophilia. Furthermore, the role of closure in other clinical conditions associated with PFO, like decompression sickness (DCS) and migraines, remains under investigation. Our review aims to summarise the existing literature regarding epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, optimal management, and closure indications for these special patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Apostolos
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Polyxeni Alexiou
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Amalia Papanikolaou
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Universitatklinikum Essen, 451 47 Essen, Germany;
| | - Georgios Trantalis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Maria Drakopoulou
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Nikolaos Ktenopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Ioannis Kachrimanidis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Panayotis K. Vlachakis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Ismini Tsakiri
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Grigorios Chrysostomidis
- Second Department of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 176 74 Athens, Greece;
| | - Konstantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Costas Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
| | - Konstantinos Toutouzas
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippocration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (P.A.); (G.T.); (M.D.); (N.K.); (I.K.); (P.K.V.); (I.T.); (K.A.); (C.T.)
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Apostolos A, Tsiachris D, Drakopoulou M, Trantalis G, Oikonomou G, Ktenopoulos N, Simopoulou C, Katsaros O, Tsalamandris S, Aggeli C, Tsivgoulis G, Tsioufis C, Toutouzas K. Atrial Fibrillation After Patent Foramen Ovale Closure: Incidence, Pathophysiology, and Management. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e034249. [PMID: 38639354 PMCID: PMC11179870 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.124.034249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores the incidence, pathophysiology, and management of atrial fibrillation (AF) following percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Although AF is considered a common adverse event post PFO closure, its incidence, estimated at <5%, varies based on monitoring methods. The review delves into the challenging task of precisely estimating AF incidence, given subclinical AF and diverse diagnostic approaches. Notably, a temporal pattern emerges, with peak incidence around the 14th day after closure and a subsequent decline after the 45th day, mimicking general population AF trends. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind post PFO closure AF remain elusive, with proposed factors including local irritation, device-related interference, tissue stretch, and nickel hypersensitivity. Management considerations encompass rhythm control, with flecainide showing promise, and anticoagulation tailored to individual risk profiles. The authors advocate for a personalized approach, weighing factors like age, comorbidities, and device characteristics. Notably, postclosure AF is generally considered benign, often resolving spontaneously within 45 days, minimizing thromboembolic risks. Further studies are required to refine understanding and provide evidence-based guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Apostolos
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Dimitrios Tsiachris
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Maria Drakopoulou
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Georgios Trantalis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Georgios Oikonomou
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Nikolaos Ktenopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Chrysavgi Simopoulou
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Odysseas Katsaros
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Sotirios Tsalamandris
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Constantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Costas Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
| | - Konstantinos Toutouzas
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General HospitalAthensGreece
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